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Warning to Herman, Meyer etc.

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MW2014's picture
December 1, 2014 at 1:18am
45 Comments

It is pretty clear looking at the commentary over the last 24 hours that Ohio State's playoff hopes are in jeopardy but not gone. Luckily, one more game, on a very big stage against a great team is still for the taking. Call it audition if you want, but that is what Ohio State football and Cardale Jones will be doing on Saturday night.

By the time they take the field, winning might be all that is necessary. Alabama or Oregon may have already lost, and you can bet the bank that the committee will not take two Big 12 teams into the playoffs unless they absolutely have to, especially when their names aren't "Oklahoma" or "Texas." But assuming that the playoff spot is still questionable when Ohio State, FSU, and Baylor take the field that night, I have a word of advice for Herman and Meyer and the team. Maybe a warning: don't play call just to win the game if you want to be in the playoff. Winning a B1G championship is nice, but what does it say about Ohio State football if your offense revolves around one particular player? Not position. Player.

Barrett already proved you can plan a game around your guy. So plan a game around Jones. Utilize his best skills and minimize his weaknesses. Mix in QB power with screens, HB swings, and sweeps. Test the defensive secondary early and often with deep play action. Throw in a QB power play action like we saw with Tebow and Prescott. It might work. He has a cannon arm, everyone says.

Does anyone think Oregon would be 11-1 without Mariota? FSU 12-0 without Winston? Baylor or TCU without Petty or Boykin? I doubt it. These teams would've lost several more games. But can the same be said for Alabama or Ohio State? I think you could substitute anyone into the QB role at Alabama and they might still be 11-1. Remember the race was close between Coker and Sims. The same is true for our team. That is why it is an impressive team.

TLDR: No one will blame you if you lose while opening up the playbook and winning big or going home. But winning a conservative game will get you a ticket to the Cotton Bowl. Don't do it. Show the world that at Ohio State, you recruit the best and play the best football as a team and don't need a miracle worker to win big games big.

This is a forum post from a site member. It does not represent the views of Eleven Warriors unless otherwise noted.

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